As expected, India defeated Pakistan in their final Pool D engagement at the FIH World Cup to advance to the next stage. The cross-border rivals, who managed just one point, made an early exit, but not before setting off alarm bells in the Indian camp.India rode on skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s two-goal effort, striker Abhishek’s brilliance and a penalty-stroke conversion from Hardik Singh to secure a 5-3 victory in Amstelveen, Netherlands. But the performance did not befit a team eyeing a podium finish.Had Pakistan not made a few schoolboy errors, a draw was a possibility. The familiar issues of dropping intensity, defenders making basic mistakes inside the circle and players picking up cards once again came back to haunt Craig Fulton’s men.In the next round, India and England will be joined by Pool A toppers and hosts Netherlands, with either Argentina or New Zealand completing the four-team group.India were off the blocks quickly, piercing the Pakistan defence down the flanks. The sustained pressure cracked the opposition backline early, and Harmanpreet put India ahead with a powerful low flick that flew past goalkeeper Ali Raza off the first penalty corner.India’s domination in the opening quarter was reflected in the numbers; they had 10 circle penetrations to Pakistan’s none. In an era gone by, an India-Pakistan contest was synonymous with artistic hockey, supple wristwork and deft dribbling. Abhishek offered a reminder of those times. He was both feeder and poacher on the day, and both his goals showcased his skill.Abhishek doubled India’s lead in the 11th minute, bringing down a pass from Harmanpreet, dodging two defenders and slotting the ball home.Pakistan returned in the second quarter with a more structured game plan. At the other end, Indian forwards looked for individual brilliance, but without success. India still managed to stretch their lead from a 21st minute set-piece. Rajinder Singh’s drag flick was blocked, but Harmanpreet reacted quickly, making enough room to slap the rebound into the net.The 3-0 cushion lasted barely a minute. India failed to fall back in time as Pakistan stormed into their circle. Moin Shakeel’s shot was poorly dealt with by Suraj Karkera, and Hannan Shahid sounded the boards off the rebound.The see-saw battle continued, with Abhishek restoring India’s three-goal advantage. He latched on to a pass from Jugraj Singh at the top of the circle, manoeuvred past the defence and scored from a narrow angle.Again, Pakistan responded almost immediately after Sumit conceded a penalty corner, with Sufyan Khan finding the net.India came out strongly after the break, and Hardik converted a penalty stroke to make it 5-2.With two goals to make up, Pakistan returned with renewed energy in the final quarter. Shahid won a one-on-one duel with Karkera to reduce the deficit to 5-3. India, however, held their shape better in the closing stages and saw out the remaining minutes without allowing Pakistan to make any further inroads.Result: India: 5 (Harmanpreet Singh 5, 21, Abhishek 11, 24, Hardik Singh 35) bt Pakistan: 3 ( Hannan Shahid 22, 46, Sufyan Khan 24).
